Garden Education Facilitator

Plant the Seed

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Job Summary

Summary of Position: The Garden Education Program Facilitator will have responsibility for the preparation and delivery of garden-based lessons with pre-k students (aged 3-5 years), maintaining the on-site educational garden spaces, overseeing student/participant data tracking, communicating program-related activities with school partners, engaging with families monthly and at special events and providing a rich and engaging learning experience for students. Work environment is a combination of on-site at partner(s) with shifts falling during school hours five days a week and an occasional evening or weekend, as needed. Hours average between 20-25 hours weekly. 

Job Responsibilities

Position functions include, but are not limited to:

Garden and Classroom (60%)

• Provide hands-on garden-based learning facilitation to weekly classes at an MNPS Early Learning Center (ELC). This includes teaching the given lesson to three to five-year-olds, as well as coordinating with the lead classroom teacher or Educational Assistant (EA) to maintain student behavior in order to ensure safety and an optimal learning environment in the garden and/or classroom. Prepare the garden and/or classroom in advance of students’ arrival each day; clean up and put away all tools, lock shed and other items after classes.
• Advise on and implement garden design and regular garden maintenance at assigned site, prioritizing accessibility for students and providing input on general garden/growing methods and seasonal needs
• Assist in the development of garden programming and pacing on an ongoing basis, being adaptable and flexible to the needs of the garden and community
• Facilitate garden programming once a week in collaboration with a PtS team member for shadowing and cross-training purposes and then on a regular independent basis 
• Material needs will be provided for Facilitator, but in case of unforeseen needs or enhancement material requests, submit purchase request to Program Coordinator (PC)
• Maintain garden spaces in such a manner to ensure effective learning environment, including weeding, watering, pruning, planting, compost management, and organic pest and disease management
• Maintain garden tools, supplies and equipment (if applicable garden classroom supplies equipment) and complete a year-end inventory of tools, supplies and equipment 
• Deliver monthly Bringing the Garden Home activities (send home resources or host a tabling event), as well as fall and spring family event or workshop

Communication and Outreach (20%)

• Work closely within a team setting, feeling comfortable to contribute from your unique point of view, as well as holding a space for differing views—ever seeking to arrive at what is best for the students, the garden and the mission of Plant the Seed
• Contribute to the culture and ethos of Plant the Seed by sharing ideas in a constructive way at team meetings and check-ins
• Respond with flexibility and patience to the needs of students, teachers, and administrators—demonstrating strong teamwork capacity
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders: students, parents, teachers, administrators, volunteers, and Plant the Seed staff. When in doubt, over-communicate. 
• Send weekly partner email to site teachers and staff about upcoming lesson
• Contribute to a vibrant social media presence, including contribution of site pictures for Facebook posts and contribution to blog posts
• Provide reflection and evaluation each week through the submission of bi-weekly narrative reports in order to create a vital feedback loop and assist in developing a stronger program
• Collaborate with the PC to create a volunteer work plan for your site and work to establish autonomous self-managing volunteer groups with parents, teachers and community members
• Contribute to a document of institutional knowledge at your site to create a resource for the following years
• Offer creative enhancements to teachers to cultivate the Plant the Seed mission inside the classroom without our presence
• Develop relationships with parents, teachers and community stakeholders

Internal/Organizational (10%)

• Work closely with the Program Coordinator to further the mission and vision of PtS by creating quality programs and vibrant growing spaces
• Collaborate with other PtS facilitators to develop engaging curriculum integration and regular documentation of garden experiences
• Participate in branding and communication protocols (shared calendar, google docs, PtS staff t-shirts, opening and closing garden song, etc)
• Submit numbers and narrative reports in a timely manner as requested by PC
• Submit weekly time sheet of allocated hours to inform scheduling and budget  
• Attend weekly PtS staff meetings (schedule TBD); rotate facilitator and note-taker duties
• Attend regular check-ins with PC

Training and Management (10%)

• Assist with facilitating agency-led partner training opportunities, as requested
• Participate in weekly shadowing and cross training opportunities provided by PC, which includes space for reflection and feedback (both from and to)
• Provide structured shadowing opportunities for PtS interns and volunteers to learn from your experience and facilitation style, as requested
• Participate in monthly check-ins with PC

Qualifications

• Recommended Early Childhood Education Teaching/Facilitation Experience (either in a formal educational setting or in an experiential educational setting as the lead facilitator)
• Experience working with young children in large group settings (at least 10-12 kids at a time)
• Experience and/or comfort in a garden is a benefit, as well.

• Key Attributes 

• Passion, integrity, positive attitude and mission-driven work ethic
• Adaptable and innovative approach to hands-on lesson facilitation
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a letter of interest, highlighting the ways in which your strengths might contribute to this dynamic and growing edible education nonprofit to: sarahv@planttheseed.org by Monday, July 19th, 2021. Check us out online at https://www.facebook.com/planttheseed/.

Details

• Date Posted: July 2, 2021
• Type: Part-Time
• Job Function: Educator
• Service Area: Children / Youth
• Start Date: 08/09/2021
• Salary Range: $15/hr
• Working Hours: 20-25 hrs/wk, M-F, 8:00am - 1:00pm